Arrival at the Location
After the two commanders of the Second Legion Cavalry Regiment reached what they considered to be the correct conclusion, Sodak advocated that they immediately report to the Legion Commander Count Carter, and that the Cavalry regiment remain stationed in Haiden City for the time being.
The interception team had now entered western Strath County. After the previous night's battle and the long journey, the soldiers were exhausted. Fortunately, everyone understood that they were in enemy territory, and each of them forced themselves to stay alert.
Victor looked at the exhausted warriors and rode closer to Alex. Alex was also very tired. Although he had experienced war and received considerable military training, his pampered lifestyle had greatly weakened his physical strength and willpower.
He was now dozing off on horseback, with two guards standing beside him on horseback. When the guards saw Victor approaching, the guard on the left immediately made way for him. Victor nodded to him, then spurred his horse to ride up to Alex and reached out to shake him awake.
"Ah, Victor, have we arrived in Strath County?"
Alex was indeed in very poor condition, and his sense of time was blurred. As soon as he regained consciousness, he asked Victor how long they had been traveling and where they were now.
"We've been away from Haiden City for six hours now, and we should be in Strath County, but I can't pinpoint our exact location. I'll have to rely on you."
"Okay, wait a moment." Alex instructed his men to fetch a map. He took the map and examined it carefully, comparing it with the surrounding terrain.
"We've penetrated more than 60 kilometers into Strath County. We're very close to the designated interception point. Yes, this is it."
Alex quickly found their location. Alex had been in charge of the Chamber of Commerce in Iron Birch Territory and had led teams to all the counties of the duchy, so he had a very detailed understanding of the duchy's geography.
Victor greatly admired him for this. Alex had an excellent sense of space, which he had discovered during the crossing of the Carson Mountains. Alex could accurately determine direction without needing reference points such as the Sun or tree rings.
Victor looked at the location Alex had pointed out on the map. It was in the southeast corner of Ent County, near Strath County. It was a noble territory called the Woven Fern Territory. It was not large, but it was in a good location, situated at the border of two counties, and a tributary of the Blackwater River also passed through it.
"This is the Barony of Woven Fern. This noble family can be considered a generation of nobles. They were enfeoffed by the previous Grand Duke before his death. They went through the channels of the Grand Duke Mora. During the Civil War, they actively responded to the call of the Count Lagos. Baron of Woven Fern led his soldiers to join the Grand Duke Mora's army. In the end, they were all wiped out along with the Western Regiment. The Baron himself also died in battle. Hmm, Victor, you should also be considered a participant. After all, your Eastern Allied Army also participated in this encirclement and annihilation battle. They were ruthless."
Alex explained the background of this noble family to Victor.
"After all, we were on opposing sides back then. Our eastern counties chose Grand Duke Jola, and we suffered great losses afterward. So why did the convoy transporting the secret pact choose this place as a rest stop?"
Victor urged Alex to continue answering, telling him to stop keeping him in suspense.
"As you know, after the war, the Count Lagos wiped out the entire Western Noble Alliance Army in one fell swoop, killing many current noble lords, and even wiping out the direct lineages of three noble families. However, Mora has some conscience. After the war, he focused on the succession of titles among the Western nobles and helped the noble families continue to exist. The current lord of the Woven Fern Territory became a baron with his support, so he is now considered a staunch supporter of Grand Duke Mora and one of the most loyal nobles in the country."
"I understand now. No wonder they chose this place as a rest stop. Mora trusts the current Baron of Woven Fern, and the location of this territory is indeed excellent. From here, one can directly enter Strath County and then travel overland to Silver Maple City in Milan County, or take a boat along the Blackwater River to Silver Maple City. Both routes take about the same amount of time."
Victor analyzed the map.
"Indeed, the location of this territory is excellent. When the team escorting the secret agreement arrives, they can choose the route to Silver Maple City according to the situation."
Alex affirmed Victor's analysis.
"It seems that the Iron Birch Territory has indeed planted a high-ranking official within the Duchy's court. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to obtain the route of the secret agreement so easily. I wonder who this person is and how Count Colt planted this pawn."
Victor was also amazed by Count Colt's intelligence work, and it's no wonder he always spoke with such confidence about it.
"Then let's find a place to rest near this Woven Fern Territory. After all, according to the plan, the team that will deliver the secret pact won't arrive until at least tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Victor. There's a small valley here, uninhabited and far from the main roads, but the terrain is flat. It's less than 12 kilometers from the central town of the Woven Fern Territory. We can get there in an hour by marching."
Victor checked the location and found it to be very suitable, so the team took a temporary rest.
Victor led his troops to change course and head towards the nameless valley.
After a two-hour march, the interception team finally arrived at the Temporary Camp. Victor directed the troops to strictly follow the marching specifications, set various requirements for the marching camp, and arranged for the soldiers to take turns resting. He also prepared a hot soup and a hot meal, since everyone had not had a hot meal for two whole days since crossing the Carson Mountains.
The entire team's morale was boosted during the meal, and Victor was very satisfied. After all, that's how it is during wartime; a good meal is worth more than a set of excellent equipment.
Meanwhile, in the Two Rivers Territory, after receiving Victor's orders brought by Gale on the morning of the 12th, the General Staff immediately carried out the previously formulated plan.
The entire territory began to stir. Large quantities of supplies were taken from the warehouses, soldiers on leave were recalled, and various forces began to assemble in Wood Fort Town.
James and Santos, who were in charge of leading the troops, had begun to coordinate with their subordinates. James was leading the First Regiment and Second Cavalry Detachment and the First Infantry Detachment under the First Regiment, since Baron Brown's Stream Territory Cavalry was quite large; while Santos' Second Regiment had two detachments stationed in Golden Sunflower Territory Boler County, under the leadership of the deputy Regimental Commander Foss. Therefore, Victor ordered the Second and Third Infantry Detachment of the First Regiment to be assigned to his command.
Because Victor had made contingency plans beforehand, the mobilization of the territory was very fast, and it is expected that the preparations will be completed and the troops can set off by the afternoon of the 14th, which is today.